Brush - Pitchstone Waters (Page 2)

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Brush

A collection of 53 posts

black and white clouds over mountain

Solving the Wildfire Crisis Requires Free-Market Solutions

Common sense ways to reduce wildfires. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.org on November 26, 2018. It was written by Jonathan Wood Harnessing market powers to improve wildfire management The devastating fires burning in California are a vivid reminder of the urgent need to reduce the risk

Restoring Elk Country-Little Snowy Mountains Montana

Restoring Elk Country-Little Snowy Mountains Montana

Due to fire suppression and a lack of active management, forests can become unnaturally dense and overgrown…and that’s bad news for elk and other wildlife in need of quality forage and habitat. With that in mind, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest implemented a multi-year, landscape-scale project in

Judge Cuts $55 Million From $80 Million Roundup Verdict

Judge Cuts $55 Million From $80 Million Roundup Verdict

This is not a “victory” for Monsanto/Bayer. There isn’t enough money in the whole stock market to pay $25 million to every person Roundup has made sick. NOTE: this article was originally published to WSJ.com on July 15, 2019 6:03 pm ET. It was written by

cattle_habitat_restoration

"Invasion Biology"

The Most Powerful Tool

A very good article on using cattle to improve wildlife habitat. NOTE: this article below was published by Texas Wildlife Magazine as part of their July, 2018 issue. It was written by Steve Nelle.

"Invasion Biology"

Uprooting FDR’s ‘Great Wall of Trees’

This article highlights the environmental mentality of the modern farming methods taught in our universities. As described below, farmers are destroying the Northern Great Plains shelter belts which the WPA planted – for their benefit and at great cost – during the Great Depression. Quoting the authors: “FDR, long fascinated by forestry,

wild_horse_united_states

Call for Horse Grazing Pilot Study To Explore Wildfire Mitigation

Wild horses and burros, properly managed in combination with other animals, can help prevent wildfire. NOTE: this article initially appeared on HorseTalk.co.nz on February 1, 2018. It was written by William E. (Bill) Simpson. If people began the evaluation of any project under the premise that it can’

gulley_restoration_desert_grasslands

Turning a Dangerous Arroyo Into a Flood Irrigation Resource in the Deserts of Far-West Texas

Here is how we harvested water out of Circle Ranch’s worst gully, and used it to re-wet 5-miles of desert meadows.

gambels_quail_circle_ranch_texas

"Invasion Biology"

Survival of Trans-Pecos Gambel’s Quail

The rapid disappearance of quail across North America, including the iconic Gambel’s Quail, is of great concern and merits study. Objectivity, though, is missing because the universities, agencies and conservation organizations that conduct the research and give advice assume the practices they promote are beneficial for ranches and wildlife.

Book Review: ‘Inheritors of the Earth’ by Chris D. Thomas

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review: ‘Inheritors of the Earth’ by Chris D. Thomas

Here is better way of thinking about so-called invasive species. Ask yourself: How many invasive species have ever been eliminated? How much damage have we done to native plants, animals and our finances trying unsuccessfully to eliminate invasive species? What if, instead of “always trying to defend the losers,” we

Ipomopsis_aggregata_circle_ranch

Plants That Get Tougher and Meaner When Attacked

The idea that plants need animals as much as animals need plants is counterintuitive to those trained to think nature consists of disconnected parts which can be independently manipulated. But, holistic thinkers have always said that nature’s individual parts are interdependent. As any gardener knows, pinching back flowers to

Rare Big Bend Grass Added to Federal Endangered Species List

"Invasion Biology"

Rare Big Bend Grass Added to Federal Endangered Species List

Most agencies, universities and conservationists continue to blame cattle grazing for grassland decline. The biodiversity loss described in this article is real but the blame is misplaced. The real cause of grassland decline is lack of animal impact from periodic grazing of bison or cattle and abundant wild species. The

reuters_soybeans

Scant Oversight, Corporate Secrecy Preceded U.S. Weed Killer Crisis

Collusion between regulators and the companies they are supposed to regulate is as pervasive in food production as in every industry where power and control is concentrated in a few hands. NOTE: This article was originally published to Reuters.com on August 9, 2017 NEW YORK (Reuters) – As the U.

high_plains_grapes

Dying Vines: How Herbicides are Damaging, and Destroying, High Plains Vineyards That Supply Much of the Hill Country Grapes

The agrochemical giants effectively control our agencies, legislatures, universities and conservation organizations. Their latest poison – which EPE rubber-stamped for general use – is 2,4-D, a primary component of Agent Orange, the infamous Vietnam poison. Agent Orange caused about 2-million birth defects in Cambodia and Vietnam. Over 60,000 American vets

"Invasion Biology"

Allan Savory: How to Green the World's Deserts and Reverse Climate Change

Desertification is a fancy word for land that is turning to desert,” begins Allan Savory in this quietly powerful talk (now viewed by 4-million). And terrifyingly, it’s happening to about two-thirds of the world’s grasslands, accelerating climate change and causing traditional grazing societies to descend into social chaos.

tangleweed_west_texas

"Invasion Biology"

Tanglehead in South Texas - Changes and Challenges

The so-called “invasion” of Tanglehead grass is a symptom of cattle removals on South Texas rangeland. This excellent article contains insights and facts that point to this. The facts: * Tanglehead is a native grass. * Tanglehead was not ‘invasive’ so long as the ranges were being grazed. * With reduced grazing, it

bayer_cattlemen_pdf

"Invasion Biology"

A Poison for Every Plant

Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association is an outstanding organization. Annually, TSCRA circulates to its members a calendar like this one, compliments of Bayer-Monsanto Chemical. The fact that this leading, respected cattle organization is promoting the ubiquitous use of rangeland pesticides demonstrates the extent to which ranchers, farmers and wildlife

Circle Ranch - Genuine Land Stewardship

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Grassland Restoration: Creosote Bush

CREOSOTE BUSH (Larrea tridentata) is generally misunderstood as an invader plant. In fact creosote is a symptom – but not the cause – of dying desert grasslands. Creosote will predominate as grasslands decline but eventually it also dies. 1. Creosote bush flowers and fruits Creosote bush is one of the most common

ircle_ranch_big_bend_fire_burros

"Invasion Biology"

Wildfire Danger Grows on Destocked Public Lands in Far-West Texas

When animals are removed, wildfire risk is increased. Cattle, burros, aoudad and elk will reduce this risk, and help deer, pronghorn and sheep in the process. NOTE: Post initially appeared on SAExpressNews.com on February 3, 2016 Big Bend National Park Still Burning Firefighters continue to battle a brush fire

circle_ranch_dow_chemical

EPA Seeks to Revoke Approval of Dow Chemical Herbicide

Glyphosate, a key ingredient in Roundup, is associated with many illnesses, and according to the World Health Organization and the State of California, causes cancer. 2,4-D was a main ingredient in Agent Orange, which caused 2-million birth defects among Vietnamese exposed to it during the war. 60,000 American

circle_ranch_book_review_feature

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review: The Pseudoscience of Invasive Species "Biology"

“Competitive” or cooperative? Bighorn and aoudad sharing range and water at Circle Ranch. No science supports the claim that aoudad harm wild animals and plants. “When native species drop mulch, fix nitrogen, attract new pollinators, or create shade, it’s called beneficial. When an exotic does exactly the same, it’

CKI Studies Scaled Quail Decline

"Invasion Biology"

CKI Studies Scaled Quail Decline

This study of blue (scaled) quail decline, conducted by the Caesar Kleberg Institute, finds that brush removal, monocultures of non-native grasses and cattle removal cause blue quail numbers to fall. The prescriptions would seem obvious: graze cattle in ways that help plants, preserve brush, and get lots of weeds growing

circle_ranch_jardineros_restoring_grassland

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Circle Ranch Jardineros

When we use our Yeomans Keyline plow to subsoil and stimulate desert ranges and plants, we take pains not to plow through cholla cactus, armadillo bush, allthorn, sumac, mesquite, and other trees and shrubs. This often leaves untreated spots. These we address with animal impact from cattle, which we move

circle-ranch-out-here-video-feature

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A Video Comparison of Cattle, Water Harvesting and Keyline as a Safer, Cheaper and Faster Alternative to Spike

Here is a well-intentioned but ill-advised project for “restoration” of desert grasslands. The Rest of The Story… BLM is spending $30 million on 500,000 acres: $60 an acre. The objective is to kill all creosote and mesquite; thereafter, the staffers propose to use fire to “maintain the landscape.” Bad

Keyline Design Restoring Grasslands in High Deserts of Far-West Texas

Keyline Design Restoring Grasslands in High Deserts of Far-West Texas

This concise explanation of Keyline theory and practice was intended for California ranchers and farmers. We have copied it, and illustrated it with photos of Keyline practices that have been used at the Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: Originally Published at AGWaterStewards.com Our thanks to its authors, and

tom_sidwell_restored_grasslands

Healing the Carbon Cycle with Cattle

Rancher Tom Sidwell on the JX’s restored grasslands. © Courtney White JX Ranch, Tucumcari, New Mexico In 2004, Tom and Mimi Sidwell bought the 7,000-acre JX Ranch, south of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and set about doing what they know best: earning a profit by restoring the land to health